[COLOR="_______"]POLICE in Wales have taken DNA samples from more than 55,000 innocent people, we can reveal.
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Almost half of these – an estimated 23,651 – were taken by South Wales Police alone, costing the force a whopping £1.5m.
In total, the nation’s four police forces have spent an estimated £3.4m in gathering DNA samples from innocent people.
But, while the Government estimates that one in five people on the national DNA database are innocent of any crime, they have admitted they have NO IDEA what the real amount could be.
Since 2001, police have taken DNA samples from anyone they arrest or caution, even if no charges are brought against them. Current law allows an innocent person’s DNA profile to be kept for up to 12 years.
With an estimated 4.5 million profiles, the DNA database for England and Wales is the largest in the world, and includes adults and children as young as 10...
Liberty’s legal officer, Anna Fairclough, told Wales on Sunday: “The Government is fond of justifying its retention of innocents’ DNA with the trite phrase: ‘nothing to hide, nothing to fear’. Those affected do not agree. They have done no wrong and they deeply resent their DNA profiles being held alongside those of murderers and rapists.”
Source< br />
‘nothing to hide, nothing to fear’
Is this what it has come to? If i am innocent i expect to be treated as such. I would hate the idea of having my DNA on a database, especially if i had not been charged for any crime.
'Innocent until proven guilty' is fast becoming 'guilty until proven innocent', and this is a very dangerous situation.
Also what a waste of funds. Spending money on keeping tabs on innocent people?
1984 anyone?
Peace.
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Almost half of these – an estimated 23,651 – were taken by South Wales Police alone, costing the force a whopping £1.5m.
In total, the nation’s four police forces have spent an estimated £3.4m in gathering DNA samples from innocent people.
But, while the Government estimates that one in five people on the national DNA database are innocent of any crime, they have admitted they have NO IDEA what the real amount could be.
Since 2001, police have taken DNA samples from anyone they arrest or caution, even if no charges are brought against them. Current law allows an innocent person’s DNA profile to be kept for up to 12 years.
With an estimated 4.5 million profiles, the DNA database for England and Wales is the largest in the world, and includes adults and children as young as 10...
Liberty’s legal officer, Anna Fairclough, told Wales on Sunday: “The Government is fond of justifying its retention of innocents’ DNA with the trite phrase: ‘nothing to hide, nothing to fear’. Those affected do not agree. They have done no wrong and they deeply resent their DNA profiles being held alongside those of murderers and rapists.”
Source< br />
‘nothing to hide, nothing to fear’
Is this what it has come to? If i am innocent i expect to be treated as such. I would hate the idea of having my DNA on a database, especially if i had not been charged for any crime.
'Innocent until proven guilty' is fast becoming 'guilty until proven innocent', and this is a very dangerous situation.
Also what a waste of funds. Spending money on keeping tabs on innocent people?
1984 anyone?
Peace.
